Ederson has impressed during his short time at City, with an eye-catching display against Manchester United in his last outing – which included a crucial double save to deny Romelu Lukaku and Juan Mata – convincing Walker that his colleague is destined for the top.

Asked by City TV where the Brazilian stands in the goalkeeping pecking order, Walker said: “He’s right up there.

“I’ve played with some good goalkeepers – Hugo Lloris is a top-class goalkeeper. De Gea, you can see he’s a world-class goalkeeper as well.

“But Ede, how young he is, the potential he has got and how he wants to learn each and every day, I think he can go right to the top.”

Ederson kept Lukaku at bay with his face during a 2-1 victory over United, while being alert enough to then stick out an arm to deny Mata.

It is not the first time that he has put his body on the line for the good of the City cause, with an infamous collision with Liverpool’s Sadio Mane back in September leaving him requiring stitches as he was offered an early lesson in how tough life in the Premier League can be.